The next morning, soft sunlight filtered through the thick canopy above the cave where the group was hiding. Teresa walked alone, carrying a handmade spear and a netted pouch. She followed a small, clear stream, hoping to catch fresh fish for breakfast.
She crouched by the water's edge, eyes scanning the surface for any movement. Just as she focused on a ripple, she heard the faintest crunch of leaves behind her—nearly silent, but not enough to escape her trained instincts.
She spun around, raising her spear, only to freeze.
Standing before her was a man dressed in dark gear, a small Earth insignia stitched on his sleeve—someone she hadn't seen in years.
"Ben Crouist," Teresa said, stunned, tension rising in her voice. "What are you doing here?"
Ben gave a slight smirk, though his eyes were anything but friendly. "It's been a long time, Teresa. Didn't expect to find you on a backwater planet like this."
Teresa didn't lower her weapon. "You disappeared during the last mission. You're a traitor."
"I didn't have a choice," Ben replied coolly. "And now, neither do you."
Teresa narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"
Ben stepped closer and activated a small holographic device. Images flickered to life—her family, bound and locked in a dark cell. Her parents. Her younger brother.
"They're still alive," Ben said flatly. "For now."
Teresa's breath caught. Her hands clenched the spear tighter as her eyes locked onto the projection.
"If you don't come back with me—if you stay with these rebels—they'll be executed. One by one."
Her heart pounded. Tears welled in her eyes, but she kept her composure.
"This isn't you, Ben," she whispered. "You're not the kind of man who would threaten the family of your old comrade."
"I have a family too," Ben replied quietly. "And they only let me live… if I bring you in."
Teresa's eyes turned to steel, jaw clenched. The weight of her choice crashed down on her.
But then she spoke, cold and steady, "Then one of us isn't walking away from this."
The forest went still. Tension hung in the air like a blade.
Just as Teresa raised her spear, ready to confront Ben, a faint whizzing sound sliced through the air.
Pffft! Pffft! Pffft!
Five tranquilizer darts shot from the trees hit her squarely. Her eyes widened, her body swayed.
"I... won't..." she whispered before collapsing unconscious onto the mossy ground.
Ben approached slowly, letting out a deep sigh as he knelt beside her. "I'm sorry, Ter," he murmured. "I didn't want it to come to this."
Five masked soldiers emerged from the underbrush, swiftly lifting Teresa's limp body and carrying her toward a camouflaged stealth craft hidden behind the hill. The engine purred softly, barely audible, and within seconds, they disappeared into the sky—heading back toward Antarctica.
Meanwhile, back at the group's forest camp, Parker returned from the lookout post with Kael and Darren. His face was tense.
"Teresa hasn't come back," he said, scanning the surrounding woods. "She went to the river, but it's been too long. Something's wrong."
Kael turned to him, a flicker of confusion in his expression—his memory still fragmented. "Teresa?" he repeated.
Parker gave a quick nod. "Yeah. She went fishing this morning. This isn't like her to vanish."
Darren stood up immediately. "Then we look for her now. You head to the river. Arek and I will check the ridge."
Kael stood as well. Something inside him—deep, buried—stirred with unease. He didn't know why, but he felt it in his bones: someone he cared for had been taken.
"I'm coming with you," he said firmly.
Parker met his eyes and nodded. "If they took her... we're bringing her back. No matter what."
The tribal chief emerged from the trees, his expression grave. "Parker. Kael. King Elmir is looking for you. He says it's urgent."
Parker exchanged a quick glance with Kael, who still looked confused. "Alright. We'll go."
Inside the Terra Kingdom palace — that evening.
King Elmir stood tall before his throne, eyes sharp as he stared at Kael. "Why did you escape from the enemy base, Kael? Do you realize what you've done?!"
Kael remained silent, clearly disoriented. Parker quickly stepped forward. "Your Majesty, we're the ones who freed him. He… Kael doesn't remember anything. His memory was erased."
"His memory erased?" the King frowned deeply.
Kael looked down. "I don't know who you are… or where I am."
The room grew tense. Some royal advisors whispered among themselves. King Elmir took a long breath.
Parker finally burst out, "If they keep kidnapping our people and toying with our lives… Your Majesty, isn't it time we strike back? Maybe it's time for war!"
Silence fell across the chamber. All eyes turned to King Elmir, who now looked deep in thought.
At last, the King spoke, slowly but firmly, "If that is your choice, Parker… then starting tonight, we prepare. But we won't go to war without a plan. Kael, even without your memories… we still need you."
Kael looked at the King, then at Parker, then at his own hands.
"I… I'll try to help," he said quietly.
A man in the royal chamber, who had been quietly observing the conversation, finally whispered in a low but firm voice, "This is not right, Your Majesty. This cannot be taken lightly. The technology of the Earth humans is far more advanced than ours here on Terra Ticonic."
King Elmir could only look at the man seriously, seemingly considering his words. As Kael and Parker turned to leave the room, the atmosphere grew heavy. They hadn't said anything yet when Mira and Arek suddenly appeared in front of them.
"Mira... Arek... what's going on?" Kael asked.
Mira sighed deeply. "It seems that Teresa was kidnapped while hunting fish in the forest. We haven't found any traces of her, and I'm afraid she has been taken to the Earth human's base."
Parker clenched his fists. "We need to search for her immediately. We can't let them continue doing as they please."
Suddenly, from behind them, a soft voice called out. "Kael... Parker..."
They turned around. Standing in front of them was Princess Liana, the woman who had once been in a relationship with Kael before his memory loss. Her face was serious, but there was a clear determination in her eyes.
"I'm coming with you," Princess Liana said, her voice resolute. "I know where they're hiding Teresa."
Kael looked at Liana with a confused expression. "Princess...?"
Parker and Kael exchanged a glance. Kael, who had lost his memory, only recognized Liana as someone important, but he couldn't recall the details of their past relationship. Liana, despite the distance that had existed between them before, seemed now determined to join the fight.
"Liana, you don't have to come. It will be dangerous," Kael said with concern, though confusion still lingered within him.
Liana shook her head. "I understand the risks. I'm not just a princess, Kael. I'm also part of Terra. This is more than just a personal matter."
Mira smiled faintly. "Looks like we're getting a strong ally."
Arek added, "Come on, no time to waste. Teresa is out there, and we need to act quickly."
They began preparing, leaving the palace and heading toward the place where Teresa was likely being held. Each step felt heavy, but the hope of saving their friend drove them forward.